all photos courtesy of the “Ice Cream Lady” of Paramus
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, the beloved “Ice Cream Lady” of Paramus, Monica Pidhorecki, is back on the road after a devastating fire destroyed one of her trucks and left her home temporarily uninhabitable. Thanks to the generosity of local families, a fundraising effort has enabled Pidhorecki to continue delighting the sweet tooths of countless Bergen County kids.
Rising from the Ashes
Monica Pidhorecki faced a major setback in May when the second of her two ice cream trucks was severely damaged in a fire. Despite the devastation, the outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming.
“I have never felt so loved and never realized the impact I had on this community until that happened,” she said.
The Birth of ‘The Ice Cream Lady’
Pidhorecki’s journey began during the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic. After being laid off from her bartending job of two decades at the Maywood Inn’s Twin Door Tavern, she decided to pursue a long-considered career change. “The Ice Cream Lady” was born on July 13, 2020, emblazoned in big letters on her white and red truck.
Initially, business was slow due to pandemic fears, but her husband Mike suggested she post on a Paramus Moms Facebook page, offering an on-demand service. The response was immediate and overwhelming.
“My phone blew up,” recalled Pidhorecki. “And it’s never stopped since.”
Business Growth and Setbacks
Over the years, Pidhorecki’s business flourished. She expanded her coverage area to include Rochelle Park, Maywood, River Edge, Oradell, and Paramus, catering to various events such as welcome-back parties, farmers markets, birthdays, and corporate events. Last year, she bought an old school bus, which her husband Mike transformed into an ice cream truck, allowing her to serve hand-scooped products.
Unfortunately, just as her business was booming, disaster struck. On May 16, after a successful event at Ridge Ranch Elementary School, a fire broke out in her new truck. The flames also engulfed her husband’s Ford F-250 and caused significant damage to their home.
Community to the Rescue
In the aftermath of the fire, the community rallied around Pidhorecki. Three different GoFundMe campaigns were launched, raising about $22,000 to help replace her truck.
“They were amazing,” said Pidhorecki. “I still cry when I think about it because that’s what really kept our spirits up. It was really tough.”
Students at Ridge Ranch, where she had served her last event before the fire, organized a virtual ice cream sale to raise funds, showing their support through heartfelt messages.
A New Beginning
Thanks to the donations, Pidhorecki and her husband were able to put a down payment on a 2024 Promaster extended van. The new truck is still a work in progress but made its maiden voyage last Saturday in Long Valley, Morris County.
“It’s really hard for me to put into words,” she said, “but my heart is so full.”
Conclusion
Monica Pidhorecki’s story is a testament to the power of community and resilience. Despite the challenges, she continues to bring joy to countless children and families in Bergen County, proving that even in the face of adversity, the spirit of the “Ice Cream Lady” remains unbroken.
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